Rear wiper operation indicator and full display mirror system of a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

A system for controlling vehicle components including a rear wiper system and a full display mirror (FDM) system is described herein. The system includes a rear wiper system switch including an OFF position and at least one activated position. The system also includes an FDM control switch including an OFF position and an ON position. The system also includes a control unit communicatively coupled to the rear wiper system switch and the FDM switch and configured to activate a rear wiper activation indicator when the rear wiper system switch is in the at least one activated position and the FDM switch is in the ON position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/665,931 filed May 2, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The field of the present disclosure relates generally to full displaymirrors for use in motor vehicles and, more specifically, tocoordination of operation of the full display mirror and a rear windowwiper system.

Rearview mirrors have long been used to provide a vehicle operator witha reflected view of an area behind the operator while the operatorremains facing forward. This area behind the operator includes portionsof the interior of the vehicle as well as an area outside of the vehicleas seen through the rear window. Most vehicles also include a rearviewcamera system that includes a rearview camera and a video display screenthat facilitate providing an operator of the vehicle with anunobstructed view rearward of the vehicle. Typically, the rearviewcamera system is only activated when the vehicle is in a predeterminedoperational mode, such as when the vehicle is set to operate in reverse.The operator relies on the rearview mirror to provide visibilityrearward of the vehicle when the vehicle is set to operate in otheroperational modes. However, cargo loaded in the rear of the vehicle orpassengers occupying the rear seats may interfere with the operator'sability to see out of the rear window using the rearview mirror.

As such, at least some known vehicles include a full display mirrorsystem installed therein. Known full display mirror systems provide avideo feed from a rearview camera to a display screen incorporated inthe rearview mirror of the vehicle regardless of the current operationalmode of the vehicle. Some known full display mirror systems provide theoperator with the capability to switch between a view provided by therearview camera (i.e., the operator views a video feed displayed on thedisplay screen) and a view provided by a traditional rearview mirror(i.e., the operator views a reflection in the mirror). The vehicle mayalso include a rear wiper system that is operable independently of thefull display mirror system. If the rearview camera is mounted on anexterior of the vehicle and does not provide a rearward view through therear window of the vehicle, the operator of the vehicle may not noticethat the rear wiper system is active if the operator relies solely onthe video feed provided on the display screen. Unintentional activationof the rear wiper system may reduce the service life of the rear wiperblade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a system for controlling vehicle components including arear wiper system and a full display mirror (FDM) system is provided.The system includes a rear wiper system switch including an OFF positionand at least one activated position. The system also includes an FDMcontrol switch including an OFF position and an ON position. The systemalso includes a control unit communicatively coupled to the rear wipersystem switch and the FDM control switch and configured to activate arear wiper activation indicator when the rear wiper system switch is inthe at least one activated position and the FDM control switch is in theON position.

In another aspect, a method of operating a full display mirror (FDM)system of a motor vehicle is provided. The FDM system includes a displaywindow. The method including determining that the FDM system is in anactive mode, determining that a rear wiper system of the motor vehicleis in an active mode, and automatically displaying a rear wiperactivation indicator within the display window.

In yet another aspect, a full display mirror (FDM) system is provided.The FDM system includes a mirror/display screen configured to display avideo feed from a rear facing camera and to selectively display a rearwiper activation indicator. The FDM system also includes an FDM controlswitch including an OFF position and an ON position. The FDM system alsoincludes a control unit communicatively coupled to the mirror/displayscreen and the FDM switch and configured to receive an activate signalfrom a rear wiper system switch. The control unit is configured toactivate the rear wiper activation indicator when the FDM switch is inthe ON position and upon receipt of the activate signal from the rearwiper system switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a box diagram illustrating select components within anexemplary motor vehicle.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary combination front and rearwiper system switch that may be included in the motor vehicle shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary display of a full display mirror system that maybe included in the motor vehicle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary control diagram illustrating a method ofoperating a full display mirror system, for example, the full displaymirror system shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein relate generally to a full displaymirror (FDM) system for use in a motor vehicle and, more specifically,to control of an indicator associated with the FDM system andrepresenting an operational status of a rear window wiper system.Embodiments described herein are intended for use with large vehicles,such as sport utility vehicles or minivans, that include an FDM system,and/or smaller vehicles that also include relatively vertical and/orlarge rear windows. In the exemplary embodiment, these vehicles includea rear window wiper and a window washer fluid nozzle. Typically, anindicator light informing the driver that the front windshield wipersare ON is unnecessary since the driver is visually aware of thewindshield wipers moving across the windshield when activated.Similarly, an indicator light informing the driver that the rear windowwiper is ON is also typically unnecessary since the driver can see, whenlooking in a rearview mirror, the rear window wiper moving across therear window. However, the rearview camera of the FDM system describedherein is located on the exterior of the vehicle. Therefore, if thedriver unintentionally has the rear window wiper ON, the driver wouldnot see it operating in a rearview display screen of the FDM system whenthe FDM system is activated. If the rear window is dry, unintentionalprolonged use of the rear window wiper on the dry window may cause thewiper blade to prematurely wear, thus reducing its useful life.

In some embodiments described herein, use of the video feed within theFDM system is optional. That is, the FDM system includes a reflectivelayer that enables it to be used in the same manner as a traditionalrearview mirror. Thus, the video display screen of the FDM system needsto be activated in order to view the video feed from the rearviewcamera. As referred to hereinafter, when the FDM system is in an activemode, which is also referred to herein as activated, turned ON, orenabled, the vehicle operator sees images from the camera on the videodisplay screen. Conversely, when the FDM system is in an inactive mode,which is also referred to herein as deactivated, turned OFF, ordisabled, the vehicle operator sees reflected images. Moreover, in someembodiments, the FDM system includes a washer nozzle to keep therearview camera clean. In the exemplary embodiment, the FDM washernozzle is activated by the same switch used to activate the rear windowwasher nozzle (e.g., the rear wiper switch options are ON, INT(intermittent), OFF, and WASH). The WASH selection on the switch is amomentary switch, in that the switch must be held in the WASH selectionposition to be activated.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a rear window wiperactivation indicator. As noted above, a driver may not realize that therear wiper system is activated while the FDM system is activated. In theexemplary embodiment, the FDM system displays an indicator, for example,an icon or a light, when the FDM system is ON and the rear window wiperis activated. The icon indicates to the driver that the rear windowwiper is activated, and the driver can then determine what action totake, if any.

FIG. 1 is a box diagram illustrating select components within anexemplary motor vehicle 100. In the exemplary embodiment, motor vehicle100 includes a control unit 102, a combination front and rear wipersystem switch 104, and a full display mirror (FDM) system 106.Alternatively, motor vehicle 100 may include a front wiper switch and aseparate rear wiper switch. Motor vehicle 100 also includes a frontwiper system 108, a rear wiper system 110, and a rear window washersystem 111.

In the exemplary embodiment, FDM system 106 includes a combinationmirror/display screen 130, a rearview camera 132, an FDM control switch134, and a rearview camera wash system 136. Control unit 102 is coupledin communication with switch 104, FDM system 106, front wiper system108, rear wiper system 110, and rear window washer system 111. Controlunit 102 controls operation of FDM system 106, front wiper system 108,rear wiper system 110, and rear window washer system 111, and, in someembodiments, facilitates controlling the operation based on commandsreceived from switch 104 and/or FDM system 106. Control unit 102 alsostores control algorithms therein, such as those described in moredetail below. Although illustrated as a single box, functions of controlunit 102 may be performed by a single controller and/or processor, ormay be separated between multiple controllers and/or processors.Furthermore, although illustrated as communicatively coupled to FDMsystem 106, control unit 102, or specific functions of control unit 102,may be included within FDM system 106.

In the exemplary embodiment, rearview camera 132 is coupled to anexterior portion of vehicle 100. For example, rearview camera 132 may bepositioned adjacent to a center high mount stop light assembly, adjacentto or within a rear spoiler, and/or any other location on a rear portionof the vehicle that allows the FDM system 106 to function as describedherein. By positioning rearview camera 132 on an exterior of vehicle100, the camera is positioned outside of a path of a rear wiper of rearwiper system 110. Such positioning prevents the rear wiper frominterfering with the image provided by rearview camera 132.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of front and rear wiper system switch104. In the exemplary embodiment, switch 104 includes a front wipertoggle 112 and a rear wiper system switch 114. Rear wiper system switch114 may also be referred to herein as a rear wiper toggle 114. Frontwiper toggle 112 controls operation of front wiper system 108 (shown inFIG. 1), and rear wiper toggle 114 controls operation of a rear wipersystem 110 and rear window washer system 111 (both shown in FIG. 1). Inthe exemplary embodiment, front wiper toggle 112 is selectivelypositionable in a MIST position, an OFF position, an AUTO position, a LOposition, and a HI position. Front wiper toggle 112 includes a wiperinterval selector 113 that is rotatable relative to switch 104. Wiperinterval selector 113 is operable when front wiper toggle 112 is in theAUTO position, which facilitates activating front wiper system 108 in anautomatic mode. Wiper interval selector 113 enables a driver of motorvehicle 100 (shown in FIG. 1) to adjust a front wiper activationinterval of front wiper system 108 while in the automatic mode. Theactivation interval is a length of time between windshield wiper wipes.In addition, positioning front wiper toggle 112 in the LO positionfacilitates activating front wiper system 108 in a low speed mode, andpositioning front wiper toggle 112 in the HI position facilitatesactivating front wiper system 108 in a high speed mode. The low speedmode has a shorter front wiper activation interval (i.e., shorter timeperiod between wipes, i.e., higher frequency of wipes) than theautomatic mode, and the high speed mode has a shorter front wiperactivation interval than the low speed mode.

Rear wiper toggle 114 is rotatable between a plurality of perpetualswitches and at least one momentary switch. The perpetual switchesremain in their set position unless urged by a driver into a differentposition, and the momentary switch must be held in a selected positionfor the switch functionality to be maintained. The perpetual switchesinclude an OFF switch 116, an INT switch 118, and an ON switch 120, suchthat rear wiper toggle 114 is selectively positionable between an OFFposition, an INT position, and an ON position. Positioning rear wipertoggle 114 in the INT position facilitates activating rear wiper system110 in an intermittent mode, and positioning rear wiper toggle 114 inthe ON position facilitates activating rear wiper toggle 114 in an ONmode. The ON mode has a shorter rear wiper activation interval than theintermittent mode. As referred to herein, the rear wiper system 110 isdefined as ON, activated, or in an active mode when in either the ONmode or the intermittent mode. Furthermore, the ON position and the INTposition are considered activated positions since the rear wiper system110 is activated when rear wiper toggle 114 is in either of thesepositions. The at least one momentary switch includes a first WASHswitch 122 adjacent OFF switch 116, and a second WASH switch 124adjacent ON switch 120. First and second WASH switches 122 and 124facilitate activating rear window washer system 111, as well as rearviewcamera wash system 136.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of mirror/displayscreen 130 of FDM system 106 in the active mode. In the exemplaryembodiment, mirror/display screen 130 is included within vehicle 100 inthe same position/orientation as a typical rearview mirror. For example,mirror/display screen 130 may be coupled to and extending from a vehiclewindshield, a vehicle headliner, and/or in any otherposition/orientation that allows FDM system 106 to function as describedherein.

Mirror/display screen 130 includes a housing 126, a display window 128within housing 126, and FDM control switch 134. In the exemplaryembodiment, FDM control switch 134 is coupled to housing 126.Mirror/display screen 130 also includes a display screen 140 positionedbehind a mirrored layer 142. In other words, the mirrored layer 142 ispositioned between the user and the display screen 140 such that, whenFDM system 106 is in the active mode, images from the display screen 140pass through the mirrored layer 142 before they are viewed by the user.Display screen 140 may include, but is not limited to, a liquid-crystaldisplay (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) based display, an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED) based display, and/or any other type ofvideo display that allows FDM system 106 to function as describedherein. Display window 128 is an area on a front surface ofmirror/display screen 130 on which the user sees a reflected image or animage produced by the display screen 140.

The mirror/display screen 130 is configured such that when the FDMsystem 106 is in the active mode, the user sees a video feed provided byrearview camera 132 and displayed on display screen 140 within displaywindow 128. When FDM system 106 is in the inactive mode, the user seesimages reflected from mirrored layer 142 within display window 128. Thetransition between viewing an image displayed on display screen 140 andan image reflected from mirrored layer 142 may involve physically movingmirror/display screen 130, for example, by tilting mirror/display screen130 up or down. In a first position, a reflection of a view through therear window of the vehicle can be seen by the driver. In a secondposition, for example, a position where the mirror/display screen 130 istilted upward compared to the first position, the reflection of a viewthrough the rear window can no longer be seen by the driver. However, inthe second position, the driver is able to see images produced ondisplay screen 140. FDM control switch 134 facilitates selecting betweenthe active mode and the inactive mode of FDM system 106. FDM controlswitch 134 may be a toggle switch that physically tilts mirror/displayscreen 130 between the first position and the second position, and mayalso activate (i.e., turn ON) and de-activate (i.e., turn OFF) displayscreen 140.

As described above, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, FDM system106 is in the active mode. In the active mode, display screen 140displays a display mode indicator 144. For example, display modeindicator 144 may be an icon resembling a video camera. Displayingdisplay mode indicator 144 ensures that the vehicle operator is awarethat FDM system 106 is in the active mode and that a video feed fromrearview camera 132 is being viewed within display window 128. When FDMsystem 106 is in the inactive mode, display mode indicator 144 is notvisible to the vehicle operator. Furthermore, display screen 140 isconfigured to display a rear wiper activation indicator 146. In theexemplary embodiment, rear wiper activation indicator 146 is an iconresembling a window and wiper. The rear wiper activation indicator 146may include text along with, or in place of, an icon or other graphicsymbol. In alternative embodiments, rear wiper activation indicator 146may include an animation, for example, simulating an appearance of arear wiper moving across the rear window.

FIG. 4 is a control diagram illustrating an exemplary method 210 ofoperating an FDM system, for example, FDM system 106 (shown in FIG. 1).In the exemplary embodiment, FDM system 106 is in the active mode (i.e.,is ON) and the control diagram illustrates what occurs when rear wipertoggle 114 (shown in FIG. 2) is in different positions. Control unit 102may determine that rear wiper system 110 is in the active mode when anactivate signal is received from rear wiper toggle 114. When rear wipertoggle 114 is positioned to activate rear wiper system 110 (i.e., eitherON position 120 or INT position 118 (both shown in FIG. 2)), controlunit 102 (shown in FIG. 1) activates rear wiper activation indicator 146(shown in FIG. 3) (i.e., causes rear wiper activation indicator 146 tobe displayed on display screen 140 within display window 128 (both shownin FIG. 3)). For example, rear wiper activation indicator 146 may beoverlaid on the video feed displayed on display screen 140 in a positionthat does not impede the rearview visibility provided to the vehicleoperator. Alternatively, activating rear wiper activation indicator 146may include illuminating a dedicated light emitting device, icon, and/orindicator within display window 128 but not a part of display screen140. Moreover, when FDM system 106 is in the active mode, and rear wipertoggle 114 is positioned in the OFF position 116, rear wiper activationindicator 146 is not visible to the vehicle operator.

In the exemplary embodiment, method 210 also includes monitoring alength of time rear wiper activation indicator 146 is displayed. Forexample, control unit 102 may monitor the length of time the indicator146 is displayed and/or the length of time conditions are present thatresult in the activation of the indicator 146. Method 210 may alsoinclude modifying an appearance of the rear wiper activation indicator146 when the monitored length of time exceeds a predefined threshold.The predefined threshold may be a length of time stored within a memoryassociated with control unit 102 and/or FDM system 106. Modifying theappearance of the rear wiper activation indicator 146 may include, butis not limited to, increasing a size of the indicator, changing a colorof the indicator, and/or causing the indicator to flash. Thesemodifications to the appearance of the rear wiper activation indicator146 are intended to draw additional attention to the indicator 146 whenrear wiper system 110 has not been deactivated within the predefinedlength of time after the indicator 146 is activated. As an alternativeto, or in combination with, modifying the appearance of the rear wiperactivation indicator 146, method 210 may also include producing anauditory alert when the monitored length of time exceeds the predefinedthreshold.

As stated above, since the rearview camera 132 of the FDM system 106 islocated on the exterior of the vehicle, if the driver unintentionallyactivates the rear wiper system 110, or the rear wiper system 110 isactivated from a previous drive, the driver would not see it operatingin the display screen 140 of the FDM system 106 when the FDM system 106is in the active mode. If the rear window is dry, unintentionalprolonged use of the rear window wiper on the dry window may cause thewiper blade to prematurely wear, thus reducing its useful life. As such,rear wiper activation indicator 146 provides the driver with aconvenient indication that rear wiper system 110 is active, and thedriver can then decide whether to deactivate rear wiper system 110.

In contrast, when FDM system 106 is in the inactive mode (i.e.,reflected view seen by vehicle operator within display window 128), rearwiper activation indicator 146 is not displayed on display screen 140and not visible within display window 128. More specifically, regardlessof the position of rear wiper toggle 114, when FDM system 106 is in theinactive mode, rear wiper activation indicator 146 is not visible to thevehicle operator within display window 128. When FDM system is in theinactive mode, the vehicle operator can see, in the reflected images,when the rear wiper system 110 is activated.

The embodiments described herein relate to a control scheme for use witha full display mirror system and a rear wiper system of a vehicle thatfacilitates reducing unnecessary wear to wiper components of rear wipersystem. The control schemes described herein reduce unnecessary wear tothe wiper components by providing an indication to the driver that useof the rear wiper system may be unnecessary. As such, the service lifeof the wiper components is increased.

This written description uses examples to disclose various embodiments,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various implementations, including making and usingany devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. Thepatentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and mayinclude other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Suchother examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if theyhave structural elements that do not differ from the literal language ofthe claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements withinsubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for controlling vehicle componentsincluding a rear wiper system and a full display mirror (FDM) system,comprising: a rear wiper system switch including an OFF position and atleast one activated position; an FDM control switch including an OFFposition and an ON position; and a control unit communicatively coupledto said rear wiper system switch and said FDM control switch andconfigured to activate a rear wiper activation indicator when said rearwiper system switch is in the at least one ON position and said FDMcontrol switch is in the ON position.
 2. A system in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said FDM system includes a display window, and whereinthe rear wiper activation indicator is visible within the display windowwhen activated.
 3. A system in accordance with claim 2, wherein said FDMsystem includes a display screen visible within said display window,wherein said control unit provides a signal to said display screen thatcauses said display screen to overlay said rear wiper activationindicator on a video feed displayed by said display screen.
 4. A systemin accordance with claim 1, wherein said rear wiper activation indicatorcomprises an icon resembling a window and wiper.
 5. A system inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said control unit is further configuredto monitor a length of time said rear wiper activation indicator isactivated.
 6. A system in accordance with claim 5, wherein said controlunit is further configured to activate a modified rear wiper activationindicator when the monitored length of time exceeds a predefinedthreshold, wherein the modified rear wiper activation indicatorcomprises at least one of a flashing indicator, an indicator ofincreased size, and an indicator having a different color.
 7. A systemin accordance with claim 5, wherein said control unit is furtherconfigured to produce an auditory alert when the monitored length oftime exceeds the predefined threshold.
 8. A method of operating a fulldisplay mirror (FDM) system of a vehicle, the FDM system including adisplay window, said method comprising: determining that the FDM systemis in an active mode; determining that a rear wiper system of the motorvehicle is in an active mode; and automatically displaying a rear wiperactivation indicator within the display window.
 9. A method inaccordance with claim 8, wherein determining that the FDM system is inthe active mode comprises receiving, at a control unit, an activationsignal from an FDM control switch.
 10. A method in accordance with claim8, wherein determining that the rear wiper system is in the active modecomprises receiving, at the control unit, one of an ON signal and an INTsignal from a rear wiper system switch.
 11. A method in accordance withclaim 8, wherein automatically displaying the rear wiper activationindicator comprises overlaying an icon on a video feed displayed in thedisplay window.
 12. A method in accordance with claim 8, whereinautomatically displaying the rear wiper activation indicator comprisesilluminating a dedicated light emitting device, visible within thedisplay window.
 13. A method in accordance with claim 8, furthercomprising monitoring a length of time the rear wiper activationindicator is displayed.
 14. A method in accordance with claim 13,further comprising modifying an appearance of the rear wiper activationindicator when the monitored length of time exceeds a predefinedthreshold.
 15. A method in accordance with claim 14, wherein modifyingthe appearance of the rear wiper activation indicator comprises at leastone of flashing the indicator, increasing a size of the indicator, andchanging a color of the indicator.
 16. A full display mirror (FDM)system comprising: a mirror/display screen configured to display a videofeed from a rear facing camera and to selectively display a rear wiperactivation indicator; an FDM control switch including an OFF positionand an ON position; a control unit communicatively coupled to saidmirror/display screen and said FDM switch and configured to receive anactivate signal from a rear wiper system switch, said control unitconfigured to activate said rear wiper activation indicator when saidFDM switch is in the ON position and upon receipt of the activate signalfrom the rear wiper system switch.
 17. An FDM system in accordance withclaim 16, wherein said rear wiper activation indicator is visible onsaid mirror/display screen when activated.
 18. An FDM system inaccordance with claim 16, wherein said control unit provides a signal tosaid mirror/display screen that causes said mirror/display screen tooverlay said rear wiper activation indicator on a video feed displayedon said mirror/display screen.
 19. An FDM system in accordance withclaim 16, wherein said rear wiper activation indicator comprises an iconresembling a window and wiper.
 20. An FDM system in accordance withclaim 16, wherein said control unit is further configured to: monitor alength of time said rear wiper activation indicator is displayed; andmodify an appearance of said rear wiper activation indicator when themonitored length of time exceeds a predefined threshold, wherein themodified appearance comprises at least one of a flashing indicator, anindicator of increased size, and an indicator having a different color.